pass a bum check
To submit a money order as payment when the account being drawn upon does not or will not have adequate funds for the order to clear. Primarily heard in US. My ex-husband was so addicted to shopping that, by the end of our marriage, he had started passing bum checks just to keep making purchases. Being in debt has always scared the hell out of me, so I've made sure to never pass a bum check in my life.
pass (something) with flying colours
To win, achieve, or accomplish something exceptionally well or very successfully. Said especially of a test, examination, or training of some kind. Primarily heard in UK. Samantha was rather nervous taking her final exam, but she passed with flying colours! Your brother passed his apprenticeship with flying colours. He'll be a master builder in no time!
a passing fancy
Something that captures one's interest or enthusiasm for only a brief period of time. Jim was really into learning about horticulture for a while, but it turned out to be only a passing fancy. I played a few sports during college, but they were all just passing fancies.
pass the Rubicon
To commit to a particular plan or course of action. The phrase refers to how Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon river and became embroiled in civil war in 49 BCE. Look, if you cheat on this test, you are passing the Rubicon, man. You can't take that back. I think I passed the Rubicon when I took this management position. It would be a huge pay cut to go back to my old job, and my boss would be furious.
pass on to the Great Beyond
euphemism To die. It's such a shame that Tom has passed on to the Great Beyond. When is his funeral?
pass under the yoke
To be humiliated in defeat. The phrase derives from the ancient practice of humiliating troops by having them walk under a yoke that was symbolic of the victorious army. Many enemy soldiers passed under the yoke of the Roman army. Having to attend my rival's medal ceremony is like passing under the yoke.
in passing
casually; said or mentioned as an aside. I just heard your name in passing. I didn't hear more than that. The lecturer referred to George Washington in passing.
just passing through
just moving through an area and not stopping. We didn't stop in Moose Jaw. We were just passing through.
mention someone or something in passing
to mention someone or something casually; to mention someone or something while talking about someone or something else. He just happened to mention in passing that the mayor had resigned. John mentioned in passing that he was nearly eighty years old.
with each passing day
as days pass, one by one; day by day. Things grow more expensive with each passing day. We are all growing older with each passing day.